---
title: Does testosterone affect sexual behavior differently in pill users versus non-users?
description: Birth control pill users and non-users had similar sexual activity overall. Only non-users showed cycle-related drops in testosterone and matched decreases in
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/testosterone-and-sexual-behavior-in-oral-contraceptive-users-and-nonusers-a-1990/
---

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- Does testosterone affect sexual behavior differently in pill users versus non-users?

Non-randomised trial, 1990

# Does testosterone affect sexual behavior differently in pill users versus non-users?

Birth control pill users and non-users had similar sexual activity overall. Only non-users showed cycle-related drops in testosterone and matched decreases in sexual desire. Testosterone levels did not predict actual sexual activity in either group.

 Early or limited evidence

18 birth control pill users and 13 non-users matched for partner availability

## What they did

18 women taking birth control pills and 13 women not taking pills tracked their daily sexual activity for 1 month. Blood hormone levels were measured at 4 points across their pill or menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Non-pill users had higher testosterone throughout their cycle and showed perimenstrual drops in testosterone. Only non-pill users reported decreased sexual desire before menstruation that corresponded to testosterone drops. Both groups had similar frequencies of sexual activity despite testosterone differences.

## What it means for you

Birth control pills suppress testosterone and prevent the natural cycle-related changes in desire seen in non-users. However, average testosterone levels were not linked to actual sexual activity in either group. The sample size is small.

18

pill users

13

non-users

4

cycle phases measured

## About the study

Original title Testosterone and sexual behavior in oral contraceptive users and nonusers: a prospective study Authors Alexander GM, Sherwin BB, Bancroft J et al. Journal Hormones and behavior Year 1990 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 18 What was tested Oral contraceptive use Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0018-506x(90)90017-r](https://doi.org/10.1016/0018-506x(90)90017-r)

## Topics

[Libido and sexual function](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sexual-function/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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